Courts, Law, and Justice /

Launched in 2011, Key Issues in Crime and Punishment, a new reference series published by SAGE, consists of five volumes. Each volume is a handbook that opens with an introduction by general editor Chambliss. Following an introduction are articles discussing 20 currently relevant subtopics, and an index. Volume 1, Crime and Criminal Behavior, looks at crime through a variety of lenses: historical contexts; policy implications; crimes "of a sensitive nature," such as hate crimes and child abuse; victimless crimes; state crimes; and Internet crime and copyright issues. Volume 2, Police and Law Enforcement, discusses the controversies surrounding police and law enforcement operations, including profiling, police brutality, Miranda rights, and interrogation practices. Volume 3, Courts, Law, and Justice covers issues ranging from DNA evidence and penalties for driving under the influence to polygraphs and restorative justice. Examples of topics from volume 4, Corrections, include capital punishment and the death penalty, clemency, cruel and unusual punishment, early release, and life sentences. In volume 5, Juvenile Crime and Justice, "each author presents arguments in favor of various programs, treatments, and punishments, counterbalancing them with opposing arguments."Articles, ranging in length from 10 to 20 pages, are signed and feature "further reading" suggestions. Contributors are primarily from academia, but their language is clear and accessible to undergraduates. The table of contents lists further subheadings for each article. Articles culminate in a discussion of the pros and cons of a particular issue; for instance, volume 3 features an article on DNA evidence, with the pro/con discussion focused on support for or opposition to expanding DNA databases. These discussions are similar to the pro/con sections published in CQ Researcher (CH, Sep'06, 44-0046), the popular current events database, now owned by SAGE. This series is recommended for all academic libraries, and will be indispensable for those with a criminal justice department. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower- and upper-level undergraduates; general readers. S. M. Metcalf Western Carolina University

These volumes each cover a broad area of the American criminal justice system. Within each book, about 20 chapters further subdivide material by topic. "Corrections," for example, discusses overcrowding, gangs, and violence in prison; the debate over punishment vs. rehabilitation; and so on. Chapters open with historical background, advance to legal concepts/social context, and present clearly worded point/counterpoint sections on controversies such as capital punishment. See also references and a short bibliography conclude each discussion. Chambliss (sociology, George Washington Univ.) has been published extensively in the field of criminology over the past four decades and is a solid pick for this project. His grasp of subject matter is evident in each volume's introductory essay. BOTTOM LINE Although it covers much the same territory as Criminal Justice (Salem, 2005), this excellent overview features more recent scholarship and has a slight edge in currency. Clearly written, solidly researched, and well balanced in its coverage of hot topics, it is an appropriate purchase for public and academic libraries and is highly recommended for institutions that support criminal justice programs.-Michael Bemis, Washington Cty. Lib., Woodbury, MN (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Gr 10 Up-One of the most comprehensive works on the subject in some time. Each volume opens with a thorough introduction to its specific topic before providing 20 chapters pertaining to that subject. The format of each chapter varies slightly, depending on the legal action or crime being discussed, but usually consists of the history of the topic, a definition of it, a discussion of its current status, pro and con commentary, cross references to topics within that volume, and further-reading lists that vary from about a dozen titles to three or four pages in length. Possible solutions to criminal behavior in today's society are given considerable space. The index is self-contained in each volume. An excellent purchase for students interested in serious research.-Eldon Younce, Anthony Public Library, KS (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.